In October 2022, Victoria University (VU) and Lifeline Western Melbourne launched a partnership with the primary aim of boosting resources for Victorians requiring crisis support and suicide prevention services.
With the community in Melbourne’s west and north facing a 35% increase in demand for Lifeline services since the beginning of the pandemic, this new partnership will focus on providing better support systems for residents in the region facing emotional distress.
First on-campus Crisis Call Centre in Victoria
Crisis Call Centre volunteering by VU staff and students
Wellbeing support for VU students from Lifeline University Call Line
Lifeline Western Melbourne is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lifeline Australia, providing the following crucial services to the local community:
These services are financially supported by corporate and community donations, as well as the operation of Lifeline Shops.
Lifeline Western Melbourne continually aims to expand these suicide prevention and community wellbeing programs into local areas where they do not currently exist.
Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support via their phone line.
Lifeline has opened its first crisis support and suicide prevention centre in Melbourne’s west. Located on Victoria University’s St Albans Campus, it is also the first Lifeline Crisis Call Centre in the state to operate from a university campus. Since COVID, Melbourne’s west and north have experienced a 35% surge in demand from residents facing emotional distress or battling cost-of-living pressures.
The service aims to have 40 crisis support volunteers answering calls by the end of its first year. The centre will provide real-world placements and opportunities for VU students studying youth work, psychology, counselling, community services and social work to train as Lifeline crisis-support volunteers.
The partnership between Lifeline Western Melbourne and VU will also include:
Courses that will benefit from partnership with Lifeline include:
VU is focused on improving student success and retention through addressing the challenges students face during their study life.
This list of online resources may help you explore different aspects of your physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
If you are finding it difficult to cope, or are unsure about things and would like to talk to someone in confidence, please contact our Counselling services.
Access Lifeline’s Crisis Support Services 24/7 via:
To find out more about this partnership, please contact:
Major Partnerships
Engagement & Advancement
Email: majorpartnerships@vu.edu.au
